If you haven’t been following closely, there is potential for a referee work stoppage heading into the MLS season. The Washington Post and ESPN.com have good updates on the issue.

In response, the MLS Players Union released the following statement through executive director Bob Foose:

“The Players Union and our members are closely following the negotiations between the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) and the Professional Referee Organization (PRO). The allegations in the unfair labor practice charge recently filed by the referees concerning threats made to MLS referees are particularly disturbing. The referees play an important role in our league, and we fully support their decision to organize collectively and their efforts to seek a fair contract.

“Our hope is that the PSRA and PRO can agree on a CBA that ensures that the highest quality referees will be on the field when the season opens and throughout the year. Our members’ health and safety will be best protected if a fair CBA is agreed upon and PSRA referees are officiating MLS games. Players, fans and sponsors can then focus on what is gearing up to be one of the most exciting years in MLS history.”